Niles rental property owners may see fee increase

NILES Â? It appears annual registration fees may be on the rise for owners of leased residential properties in the city of Niles.

The Niles City Council on Monday night scheduled public hearings on the proposed hikes for 7:15 p.m. Jan. 22 and 7:25 p.m. Feb. 12 in the council meeting room at the city fire station.

Residents will be able to comment then on a proposal to lower the $30 annual base registration fee by $5 but to increase the additional fee for each residential unit from $5 to $10. The plan further calls for unit fees to be raised by $1 for each of the next five years.

Also Monday, the panel approved a new, four-year contract for city firefighters. Under the contract, retroactive to Oct. 1, the 13 union members will receive annual 3 percent pay raises plus an additional personal leave day.